Animal Kingdom likely to run in Preakness

Winner of the Kentucky Derby reign Animal will travel to his own land to wait probably a run in the second part of the Triple Crown.

He became the first horse in the 137-year history of the Derby to win his debut on Earth, after running three times on synthetic surfaces and once on the grass in his four previous races.

Animal Kingdom will return to Maryland on Tuesday to begin preparations for the Preakness 3 - 16 - mile 1 on 21 may at Pimlico, about 60 miles from his home base at Fair Hill Training Center.

Trainer Graham Motion wants to keep jockey John Velazquez on his colt for the Preakness, and it seems likely that will happen.

Rider regular in the animal Kingdom, Robby Albarado, his nose and had the face of cuts and scratches after a spill Wednesday. He himself took off his mounts Thursday and Friday. That influenced the decision of Barry Irwin, who oversees the partnership Valor of the team that owns the reign Animal.

Irwin and Motion agreed to go with Velazquez, who was available after the uncle MB was struck out Friday. Albarado said that he took off the days to prepare for the Derby, a decision, he said "backfired."

Trainer Uncle om, Todd Pletcher, said Sunday that the colt would not run in one of the final two Triple Crown races while the persistent condition which is bothering him is diagnosed. He remains free to continue the reign of Velazquez riding Animal.

"It would be a very difficult decision for me to get off that horse to go to the other," the jockey said after trying to win his first Derby in 13. "It is just the way it is."

Irwin said it is likely, but not yet certain reign Animal will continue on the trail of the Triple Crown.

"I am sure that we are going to do, but I'm talking about, he said Sunday." I am a careful guy, we'll see how it is. If you have a horse that is incredible, you can go to the Preakness. "But your regular, average Derby winner has a hard real time return."

Animal Kingdom has proved his pedigree as a wrong turf horse in the Derby.

"Some of the best horses were those who could manage both (turf and dirt)", said Motion. "It seems to be one of those great horses that can handle both".

There are 20 people in the company of team Valor has the reign Animal. Irwin said that he has sold a small interest in the colt two weeks before the Derby based on a value estimated at $ 2 million.

"So it is definitely worth lots of money, he has to go and do something more that just won the Derby." I want to say what the big Derby. It is the largest race he is, "said Irwin.

"But the farmers are very picky and skeptical people and he is not a pedigree to fashion." He therefore obtained become a phenomenal race horse to become a value whole lot of money. If he won the Triple Crown, no there is no issue. But if he wins the Preakness, which would make automatic hit as a standard? I do not know. ?

Irwin mulls 1?-mile Belmont Stakes, the Preakness is a strong option.

"The Belmont is the kind of race that this horse is high to win," Okay, "says Irwin.

Derby finalist Nehro is study in the Preakness, but the owner Ahmed Zayat, said that the Belmont Stakes on June 11 is a more likely place for the next race the colt.

Mucho Macho Man, who finished third, will run in the Preakness, "as long as everything is good", said trainer Kathy Ritvo.